Pop star and actress Miley Cyrus opened up about the challenges of transitioning from her Disney Channel persona, Hannah Montana, to her independent music career in a candid interview on The Ringer podcast.
Cyrus revealed that after the hit series ended in 2011, Disney imposed a ban on her performing any songs tied to the iconic teen sitcom, a restriction that marked a shift in her artistic journey.
“After I left Disney, I wasn’t allowed to perform any of the Hannah Montana music,” Cyrus said. “It’s not like I wanted to—performing ‘The Best of Both Worlds’ between ‘We Can’t Stop’ and ‘Wrecking Ball’ wouldn’t have made sense.”
Despite her pragmatic view, Cyrus admitted the emotional toll of being disconnected from songs that shaped her early career. “It was still sad knowing those songs have my voice and my face, and I wasn’t allowed to sing them,” she added.
The restriction stemmed from Disney’s control over the Hannah Montana catalog, which included 20 Billboard Hot 100 hits, such as the top 10 single “He Could Be the One” in 2009 and the show’s theme song, “The Best of Both Worlds,” which peaked at No. 92 in 2006.
Cyrus also achieved three No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 under the Hannah Montana moniker: Hannah Montana, Hannah Montana 2/Meet Miley Cyrus, and Hannah Montana: The Movie soundtrack.
Hannah Montana, which debuted in March 2006 to a record-breaking 5.4 million viewers—the highest in Disney Channel history at the time—catapulted a then-13-year-old Cyrus to global fame.
The series followed Miley Stewart, a teenager balancing life as a Malibu student and a secret pop star, resonating with millions and cementing Cyrus as a cultural phenomenon.
A turning point came in August 2024 when Cyrus was honored as a Disney Legend at a ceremony at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The prestigious recognition, awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to Disney’s legacy, also lifted the ban on her performing Hannah Montana songs. “After being inducted as a Disney Legend, I was permitted to perform those songs in the future, which is pretty cool,” Cyrus told The Ringer.
The newfound freedom allows Cyrus to reconnect with a catalog that, while distinct from her current artistry, remains a vital part of her legacy.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Miley Cyrus has regained the right to perform her Hannah Montana songs, a milestone marked by her induction as a Disney Legend in August 2024. After being barred from singing the iconic tracks following the show’s 2011 end, Cyrus can now reconnect with the music that launched her career, highlighting her journey from a Disney Channel star to a versatile artist.
